By Theresa Aengenheyster | Corporate Partnerships Manager
More than 80 percent of Ethiopia's population lives from agriculture and cattle. But long periods of drought and flooding regularly destroy the harvest and pasture land of farmers and herders. Inadequate water management and forced overgrazing are also causing the country's desertification to progress rapidly.
During periods of drought many animals die. These animals often are the livelihood of families. Every animal that dies leaves a hole in the household budget. The farm animals are incredibly important for the people, but at the same time there is a lack of veterinarians, vaccinations and medicines.
Therefore, together with it’s member organization ADRA, the German alliance Aktion Deutschland Hilft, invests in the health of the animals. With the help of veterinarians and keepers, vaccinations have been carried out for cattle, camels, sheep and goats. In addition, seven care centres for animals and a veterinary clinic have been established.
Thanks to the support of the helpers, each of the communities has animal keepers and medical equipment. A total of 27 animal keepers are working in the seven villages.
In order to further increase food security and to support the most vulnerable members of society, a herd consisting of ten goats was purchased for 142 extremely needy livestock herders.
In addition, further training on efficient animal husbandry was established in many villages. One of the beneficiaries is Fatuma* from the village of Lekuma. She is a widow and cares lovingly for her three children. Thanks to the goats, she can now look after her family herself. "I want to be an example for other cattle farmers by being able to stand on my own feet," she says. Sheik*, also a mother, is also delighted with the new living conditions.
"We use the harvested crops to feed our families. Some of us can sell the surplus to enable the children to go to school. Our children are so happy about this," says the mother.
Thank you very much for supporting these relief efforts with your donation.
*Names have been changed
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